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March 14, 2016

Mindfulness !!

picture from Google..

I am glad to attend the workshop on using
mindfulness: for Counsellors and Teachers by Liliana Goldschmidt. MA. This was
organized by the Hyderabad Academy of Psychology, Hyderabad. Diana Monteiro the
course director introduced Liliana to the group of 50 participants, who were
from different organizations, working in helping relationships as counselors,
clinical psychologists and some of them also working with children with special
needs.

It was a half day workshop, participative and practical too with a bit
of theory.Liliana spoke about the
history of Mindfulness that dates back to thousands of years through various
religious and philosophical systems. Dr John Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine
Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is one of the
pioneers of mindfulness. He introduced mindfulness into the field of medicines
in 1979.

I like the definition
of Dr John Kabat- Zinn
who states that mindfulness “as the awareness
that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and
non judgementally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.”

While I was listening
to Liliana’s session, so many thoughts were coming to my mind: that I had
experienced learning meditation. I
recall attending vipassana meditation for the first time years ago wherein I
learnt to observe my breath, and the gurus were encouraging us to focus on
the breath for three full days and from the fourth till the last day, the art
of scanning the body observing the breath was taught… the purpose was to learn
to live in the present; and also observe everything within yourself and
surrounding yourself, which is so much a mindfulness involving paying attention
to our thoughts and feelings without judging them, as right and wrong, but just
be aware of every sensations in the body.

images from google

For those who practice
meditation, especially focusing on breath, helps to be in the present, also
makes us relaxed, reduces stress, increases focus, promotes health and well
–being. As a counselor I found practising mindfulness very useful in my
counseling sessions. As a counselor being mindful is an important quality, in
helping not only those who are coming for counseling but also to be totally
aware of oneself, and observant of everything in the session, being aware of
thoughts running through, feelings that come from within of comfort, discomfort
not labeling them but just being present to the person.

Practising mindfulness
helps in anxiety reduction, stress reduction, dealing with negative thoughts
and emotions, focusing and also dealing with anger pro-actively and becoming
sensitive to all that is freely available in life; filling oneself with
gratitude. I mostly encourage and teach breathing techniques to students who
come with anxiety, stress and negative thoughts, disturbed mind and confused, and
discouraged.

When I listen to them being totally mindful; I also realize how
important it is to practice mindfulness, that helps me to choose always to look
at the bright side of life; to keep counting everyday blessings, never to take
anything or any person for granted and to be eternally grateful for all
experiences which are important for my own growth process.

The effects of meditation on therapists and
therapist trainees suggest that mindfulness promotes empathy enhance self
compassion among health care professionals, also significant increases in self
awareness, insights about professional identity and over all wellness, thus
decreasing stress and anxiety and promoting better quality of life.

More information is available on https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/pst-48-2-198.pdf

This workshop was a
meaningful for me as it reinforced some of the things I knew and also; the
session was participative and the group was also resourceful; with discussions
and personal sharing of real experiences of using mindfulness with children who
have ADHD, also with those suffering from Depression and the challenges of using
mindfulness with substance abuse and couple counseling was enlightening.

Hyderabad Academy of
Psychology conducts basic skills in counselling and regular CE programmes for
all those working in the field of Mental Health. www.thehap.inthis workshop is also part of the
regular CE programmes.

“I promise myself that I will enjoy,
every minute of the day that is given to me to live” Thich Nhat Hanh

4 comments:

Lovely post Genevive thank you and a timely reminder for me with so much happening right now. Just be aware, focus on the moment, pay attention to the breath, breath it in and out, note the joys and the sadnesses ...

Thanks Susan, its always a pleasure to hear from you. Glad that this post is a reminder; wishing you love, joy, peace,happiness and harmony!! Hope you are not very stressed for the wedding, enjoy the wedding wishing you memorable moments :)

It's fantastic that you got to be a part of such a thought provoking and insightful discussion. Paying attention to the things around us, being aware of them, living in the moment, soaking up all the sensations is the key to happiness and calm. Sounds tough initially, but it has great benefits. I try to do this with Reiki...

Hi Shilpa, you are right, its great to be part of continuing education,where all of us are learners and share our learnings with one another so that we can reach out to more people. Glad to know that you try mindfulness with Reiki... I was more inclined towards vipassana:) thanks for being here !!

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About Me

I am Genevive Angela, journeying with gratitude, evolving myself and finding my purpose of existence here on earth. ... am grateful for everything that happens in my life and I live a life of gratitude :)